Grad student organization receives national awards

Nov. 19, 2003

KALAMAZOO--The National Association of Graduate-Professional
Students presented awards to a Western Michigan University organization
and student during its annual conference Nov. 5 through 9 in
Washington, D.C.

WMU's Graduate Student Advisory Committee, a standing committee
of the Faculty Senate's Graduate Studies Council, was named Graduate/Professional
Student Organization of the Year and Doris Dirks, a graduate
student from Calgary, Alberta, who is pursuing a doctor of education
degree, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

WMU students attending the 2003 national NAGPS conference
and on hand for the awards presentation were: Jessica Baby of
Mentor, Ohio, NAGPS immediate past vice president and a master's
candidate in administration in higher education; Dirks; Nancy
Greer-Williams of Hopewell, Va., a doctoral candidate in educational
leadership; and Kurt Hayden of Battle Creek, Mich., a doctoral
candidate in industrial engineering.

GSAC chairperson Marcel Brouwers, who was unable to attend
the conference, says NAGPS annually presents a series of awards
to outstanding organizations and individuals in recognition of
their contributions to graduate and professional education and
to improving the quality of life for students seeking graduate
and professional degrees.

"It's an honor to receive one of these awards because
the national organization represents more than 800,000 graduate
students across the country," says Brouwers, a doctoral
candidate in English from Mt. Prospect, Ill.

According to Brouwers, GSAC serves as a liaison between graduate
students and WMU. Its activities include facilitating policy
reform; establishing, promoting and funding programs and services
that enrich the graduate student community; recommending graduate
students for appointments to University councils and committees;
and fostering communication among graduate students.

NAGPS cited GSAC this year for working tirelessly to promote
and improve the status of graduate and professional students
at WMU and around the country. It also praised the organization
for reaching out to its constituents and addressing their concerns
through a variety of important publications, policy initiatives
and other activities.

Dirks, who served as president of both GSAC and NAGPS in 2001-02,
has held three positions on the NAGPS Board of Directors. She
was cited in part for her long and consistent efforts on behalf
of graduate and professional students.

"Doris's dedication, commitment and contribution to the
quality of graduate education are renowned," NAGPS said,
adding that since leaving the NAGPS board, Dirks has remained
active in the organization by attending regional conferences
and participating in activities such as Lobby Day.

At last year's NAGPS conference, GSAC picked up a Certificate
of Special Recognition for having provided important assistance
to the organization throughout 2002 and WMU President Elson S.
Floyd and Graduate College Dean William Wiener were honored as
Friends of Graduate/Professional Students. The 2002 Graduate/Professional
Student Organization of the Year award went to the Graduate Student
Union at the University of Notre Dame while the Lifetime Achievement
Award winner was from Illinois State University.